Welcome to MOON-"Light",
an interactive Atlas of the Moon entirely produced from images grabbed with an inexpensive
web-cam, the grayscale QuickCam(from Connectix/Logitech), using
two Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes (4" and 10"). It is still an on-going
project, but already has more than 700 lunar formations mapped. For more details on how to
modify and use this camera to obtain astronomical imagessee the "QuickCam Astrophotography" section of this web-page.

The basic units of this Atlas are stand-alone "card-files"
like that shown at the top of this page. Each "card-file" refers to a specific lunar
formation, and contains the most relevant information: name, size and
localization of the formation (low-magnification and close-up views), date, day
of lunation and lunar phase, as well as camera and telescope used.

"Card-files" can be easily accessed by
pushing any of the image buttons shown below. As the number of named
craters on the visible surface of the Moon is very large, these formations were arranged
both alphabetically and according to the 76 sections of the excellent "Atlas of the
Moon" by Antonín Rükl. I strongly recommend all interested in lunar observation to
acquire that Atlas. The quality of its drawings and images is remarkable, and it is full
of relevant information.

Besides the already mentioned "card-files",
the MOON-"Light" Atlas also contains a number of interactive maps(more precisely, image mosaics of the Moon's surface). The area covered by each
one of these maps is depicted, in red, over a small lunar disk that also shows the phase
that occurred at the time the images were obtained. These maps will provide a wider view
of the Moon's surface than that used for "card-files", with sufficient
resolution to spot small craters, and will show similar areas under different angles of
illumination. Another feature of these mosaics is its interactivity. If a given lunar
formation is clicked with the mouse, the respective "card-file" will be
accessed. As referred above, these stand-alone "card-files" contain the most
relevant information. As you may imagine, building image maps takes time... Therefore,
most maps are still non-responsive. Please return later on...

Although MOON-"Light" bears an extensive
collection of identified lunar formations, the higher-resolution images of the Moon I have
obtained so far are all grouped in the "CCD images of the
MOON" section of this web-page. Please feel free to visit it. The same applies to
the "Observation of the MOON" section.

Finally..., have you already guessed why this Atlas is
called MOON-"Light"? First of all, its images do represent one of the
many aspects of our satellite's moonlight. However, the main reason is to highlight the
ease of obtaining fairly good astronomical images with an inexpensive camera and in
sub-optimal seeing conditions. It is in fact a "lightweight" project, well
representative of the moon's appearance when observed through a small telescope in average
nights. It is also an indirect invitation to all visitors to endeavor in similar projects.
It's fun, it may be useful, and it is simpler than you think...

All Images and Texts on these pages are
Copyrighted.

It is strictly forbidden to use them (namely for
inclusion in other web pages) without the written authorization of the author